The Dynamics of Devolution

1999 - 2005

Principal Investigator: Robert Hazell

Final Report to the Leverhulme Trust

Final Report to the ESRC

About the Programme

Devolution will transform the UK's system of government. To
understand the changes, The Constitution Unit has brought together
teams of experts from across the UK and overseas, all well placed to
explore the new dynamics that emerge. The five-year research programme
is built around three main themes, with 11 projects in total. A monitoring exercise underpins the whole programme.

Theme 1 National and Regional Identities and Attitudes

There is widespread evidence of multiple identities in the UK.
These different national and regional identitities have played a vital
role in shaping devolution reforms. However, the reforms will now also
play a part in shaping identities. This theme will analyse the causes
and manifestations of distinct and overlapping identities, focusing in
particular on the impact of the new political institutions. It also
explores public attitudes towards devolution and the extent to which
the new institutional arrangements strengthen civil society and the
legitimacy of government.

Project 1 The Dynamics of Regional and National Identities Project 2 The Impact of Devolution on Public Attitudes Project 3 Attitudes towards the Unit

Theme 2 The English Question

England is the hole in the devolution programme. This asymmetry
is largely due to a perceived lack of demand for an independent English
parliament. Yet this ignores the latent regionalism in many areas, and
the impact that devolution elsewhere in the UK may well have in
England. The 'knock on' effect could be manifested in a resurgence of
regional identity and demands for greater regional autonomy; and by a
renewed focus on England as a whole, including searching for new forums
for England at Westminster.

Theme 3 Intergovernmental Relations

Links will need to be made betweeen the devolved governments and
the UK government, with the EU, and between the devolved units
themselves. The operation of these links will be vital to the
effectiveness of the devolution programme. This theme will study the
effectiveness of the new structures and procedures developed to support
intergovernmental relations, and compare the fledgling machinery in the
UK with more mature systems overseas.